Burnley Canal Festival will be as big as ever despite drought

The popular Burnley Canal Festival will go ahead as planned despite restrictions placed on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal due to the recent lack of rainfall.

The Burnley Express reported on Friday that the Canal and River Trust had been forced to close parts of the canal as a result of recent drought conditions, but the festival will still go ahead on the weekend of August 25th and 26th.

A dancer from a previous Burnley Canal Festival

Festival organisers have said the ever successful family event will take place with just a few minor alterations.

Melanie Diggle, from organisers Mid Pennine Arts, said: "Although we agree that the situation will have some impact on the festival, as we know how much festival visitors like seeing the boats and talking to the boaters, it is most definitely not at risk.

"With the exception of the floating museum boat Kennet, which may not be able to get to us, all the festival programme will go ahead as planned.

"Burnley Canal Festival is a free, family friendly event, that shows off Burnley’s unique canalside environment, and offers two great days out for locals and tourists alike. This year all the festival ingredients return, with lots of opportunities to have a go at arts and crafts workshops, music, performances, circus skills, street food, fairground rides, stalls, canoe taster sessions, and much more.

The festival has always drawn big crowds

"Once again, the Towpath Explorers have devised a mystery quest, to encourage all the family to explore some of Burnley’s brilliant canalside. Entry to the festival is free and most activities are also free."

For those who want to learn more about the area’s heritage, the Weavers’ Triangle Visitors’ Centre will be open each day, as will Oak Mount Mill Engine House which houses a steam engine dating from 1887. The engine is now operated by an electric motor and can be seen in action on special occasions – like the festival.